GeForce GTX 950 vs Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

#254

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

592%

#256

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

537%

#257

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

536%

#261

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

487%

#262

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

484%

#264

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

MSRP: $300|Avg: $75

100%

#265

Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arrow Lake)

MSRP: $300|Avg: $100

100%

#270

GeForce GTX 960A

MSRP: $199|Avg: $60

95%

#271

Radeon HD 8770

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

95%

#273

Radeon R9 M295X

MSRP: $300|Avg: $150

94%

#274

GeForce GT 325M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

93%

#275

GeForce GTS 160M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

93%

#276

GeForce GTX 470M SLI

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $60

92%

#277

Radeon Vega 8 Ryzen 3 3200G

MSRP: $99|Avg: $70

92%

#279

Radeon RX Vega 9

MSRP: $99|Avg: $50

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.7% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (4 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 950.

Insight	GeForce GTX 950	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.7%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.7%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN (2012−2015))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+100%)
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	—

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 950 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 950 holds the technical lead. Priced at $48 (vs $75), it costs 36% less, resulting in a 52.2% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 950	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+52.2%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($48)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($75)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 950 Benchmark Check

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 950 and Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

GeForce GTX 950

The GeForce GTX 950 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 20 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1024 MHz to 1188 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 90W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,357 points. Launch price was $159.

Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire

The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 1 2012. It features the GCN architecture. The core clock ranges from 850 MHz to 900 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,500 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 950 scores 5,357 and the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire reaches 5,500 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.7% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 950 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire uses GCN, both on a 28 nm process. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 950) vs 2,560 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire). Boost clocks: 1188 MHz vs 900 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
G3D Mark Score	5,357	5,500+3%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	GCN
Process Node	28 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	768	2560+233%
Boost Clock	1188 MHz+32%	900 MHz

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 950 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire has 4 GB. The Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 106 GB/s (GeForce GTX 950) vs 153.6 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) — a 44.9% advantage for the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit x2.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	106 GB/s	153.6 GB/s x2+45%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit x2+100%

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 950 draws 90W versus the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire's 200W — a 75.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 950 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 950) vs 350W (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 1x 6-pin.

Feature	GeForce GTX 950	Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
TDP	90W-55%	200W
Recommended PSU	350W	350W
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	202mm	—
Slots	2	—
Perf/Watt	59.5+116%	27.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 950 launched at $159 MSRP and currently averages $48, while the Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire launched at $300 and now averages $75. The GeForce GTX 950 costs 36% less ($27 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 111.6 (GeForce GTX 950) vs 73.3 (Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire) — the GeForce GTX 950 offers 52.3% better value. The GeForce GTX 950 is the newer GPU (2015 vs 2012).